A Costa Smeralda Guide to know one of the most fashinating destination of Sardinia.It is situated to the North West of the island. It offers 60km of coast sourrounded by the Mediterranean scrub, enriched by white sand beaches, coves and small islands. Granitic rocks of rare beauty emerging from a sensational sea, shades of green and turquoise color giving life to the beaches, an amazing panorama. Everything is animated from a lively nightlife offered by the trendy clubs.
It is a very long coastline that winds along several localities like Porto Cervo, Olbia, Abbiadori, Arzachena, Cala di Volpe, Pulicino, Porto Istana and also Poltu Quatu, Baja Sardinia, Cannigione and Porto Rotondo.
Costa Smeralda Guide: Historical Information
“Once upon a time a prince called Karim…” tells the fairytale and gives the name to this fashinating part of the coast. The maiden’s name was Smeralda. She lived on these beaches, gold colorated, and with Karim were in love. They got married and “happy ever after”…
Maybe nothing is changed in ralation to the fairytale. The territory was mainly uninhabited till the first haif of the 20th century and in 1962 was born Consorzio Costa Smeralda, a non-profit association for the development of a well-balanced town plan and residential, from the prince Karim Aga Khan, muslim-ismaili, British citizenship.
Costa Smeralda is the daughter af a adventurous prince, lover of nature, who has lost his mind for this splendid place
Respect for nature and a large planning were accompained from economic development of this territory. This open vision of natural heritage management of the Costa Smeralda from those who received in the early 1960s, it is a valid model even today for the future development in Sardinia: Tourim, Agriculture and Quality Handicraft.
Connections to the Coast
BY PLANE
The nearest airport is Olbia. The touristic localities like Arzachena, Porto Cervo, Capriccioli, Liscia di Vacca are at a distance of only 35 minutes drive. Alghero airport about 120km from here but, it is an alternative choise during the busy summer time.
BY SHIP
The main ports are located in Olbia for voyages to Livorno, Genova, Piombino, Civitavecchia. Golfo Aranci is connected to Livorno by Sardinia Ferries.
BY CAR
The SP94 known as Eastern of Porto Cervo, connects every locality of this area Olbia and Golfo Aranci. To those arriving from Cagliari can take the SS131 and the SS131dcn for about 300km. From Alghero take the SS672 SASSARI-TEMPIO and then Arzachena or Olbia.
BY BUS
The company in Costa Smeralda is Turmotravel during the summer time, or ARST that connects Sassari, Golfo Aranci, Olbia.
Excursions and beaches in Costa Smeralda
Costa Smeralda embraces Arzachena and Olbia localities. Porto Cervo area can be considered the capital of this territory. To visit: the famous Piazzetta, with its shopes and the church Stella Maris a symbol of the town in a panoramic position on the port.
Another fashinating place Cala di Volpe, a splendid bay between Razza du Junco and Capriccioli beach. One of the beaches to visit is also Piccolo Pevero, with its low seabed and the white sand and Grande Pevero where the pine-wood of Junipers runs almoust to the sea.
Liscia Ruja is another beautiful beach surrounded by Junipers and white lilies reachable by a dirt road.
Liscia di Vacca is a charateristic town, it was inhabited before the birth of the Consorzio and then complitly renovated, the town has today hotels, restaurants and tourism service.
The beauty of this territory is the possibility to reach many small islands by ferries. From Costa Smeralda many excursions depart to Cappuccini Island every day. This island is famous for the convent of the Cappuccini friars and also for a part of the Bocche di Bonifaccio, International Park, or Li Nibani island. A group of small islands of granite formation, where you can admire many birds species like Hawks and Seagulls. Le Bisce island, the uninhabited Mortorio island, Le Camere and i Soffi near Arzachena. Also, you can visit La Maddalena island with an excursion among the archipelago and Capo Ferro, where there is a lighthouse that marks the entrance to the South East of Bocche di Bonifaccio.
The entire area is not made of sea and amazing shores, but you can organized excursions towards the inner part of the island and to visit the Batteria Battistoni an old Military Fortress situated on a promontory, a short distance from Baja Sardinia’s beache. For a natural excursion, we suggest you Monte Moro where along the path is possible to admire the entire scenery of the Costa Smeralda till Corsica Island.
In this Sardinian area there are gastronomic traditions, passed down over the generations in the STAZZI, typical rural farms. Among the delicacies we have Suppa Cuata, a soup made of simple ingredients hidden under a layer of cheese, sweet ravioli, handmade gnocchi and Lu Casgiu Mustiu a tender cheese. Also, Lamazzafrissa and the Porcetto (roast pork). One of the dishes about fish is famous the Zimino, a fish soup, and the lobster with Vernaccia wine.
It is a rich area, a coast of rare beauty, a tourism destination in the world. In addition, there is the Movida, worthy of the greatest metropolis, luxury clubs, VIP parties on board and much much more. All this makes the Costa Smeralda one of the most favorite destinations by national and international stars.
In aereo
L’aeroporto più vicino è quello di Olbia. Le località turistiche più note, come Arzachena, Porto Cervo, Capriccioli, Liscia di Vacca, distano dall’aeroporto circa 35 minuti in auto. A 120 km si trova l’aeroporto di Alghero, valida alternativa durante la trafficata stagione estiva.
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